Diving Destination Problem

[sharkbait98]

Hi Everybody.

I have a little problem. I am looking to go diving in April 2010 and had originally planned on going to Vietnam, but because of you great folks I have saved myself great disappointment. THANKS AGAIN for all the replies.

There are four of us who want to go diving in April but I am having problems choosing where to go. I have been surfing and surfing only to get conflicting information regarding when to visit certain areas for optimal vis, marine life etc. Lets face it, people selling destination tend to tell you whatever you want to hear, and I really don't blame them. There just tryin to make a buck.

Anyway, as I digress, I need an April destination that has the following criterea :

We want to see bigger stuff now, I am all macro'd out. We have been to Cabilao Island and Savedra (Phillipines), Wakatobi, Sipidan, Lembeh, Bunaken, Cocos Island and pretty much all the Carribean. We want to go over to the south pacific somewhere but being in April I am not sure about the visibility...

Can anybody help me with this

Thanx in advance,

Sharkbait98

 

[robint]

Hi Everybody.

I have a little problem. I am looking to go diving in April 2010 and had originally planned on going to Vietnam, but because of you great folks I have saved myself great disappointment. THANKS AGAIN for all the replies.

There are four of us who want to go diving in April but I am having problems choosing where to go. I have been surfing and surfing only to get conflicting information regarding when to visit certain areas for optimal vis, marine life etc. Lets face it, people selling destination tend to tell you whatever you want to hear, and I really don't blame them. There just tryin to make a buck.

Anyway, as I digress, I need an April destination that has the following criterea :

We want to see bigger stuff now, I am all macro'd out. We have been to Cabilao Island and Savedra (Phillipines), Wakatobi, Sipidan, Lembeh, Bunaken, Cocos Island and pretty much all the Carribean. We want to go over to the south pacific somewhere but being in April I am not sure about the visibility...

Can anybody help me with this

Thanx in advance,

Sharkbait98

easy......... PALAU - best deep sheer walls, sharks on every dive, mantas, huge schools of fish.......
check out my videos of our trip: Palau, Micronesia on Vimeo
there are several liveaboards there and it is the best way to do Palau as they are anchored right out at the best dive sites. Short 5 minute boat ride for 4-5 dives per day. If you do land-based it is over an hour each way and only 2 dives per day.

robin

 

[Manuel Sam]

Decent places to go to for big stuff in April:

Socorros or Revillagigedos Islands aboard the Solmar V or the Nautilus Explorer for mantas and sharks (hammerheads, silvertips, silkies, Galapagos, white tips), dolphins, plus the songs of humpback whales (very slim possibility of seeing them while in the water). Viz is 60-80 ft. , at best. There is a good likelihood that both boats are sold out already for winter and spring 2010, but you can always try.

Tahiti - and more specifically Fakarava and Rangiroa in the Tuamotos - mostly for sharks (black tips, black tip reef, silvertips and large schools of grey reefs), occasionally mantas and dolphins, and some of the clearest waters I've ever seen. This is all land-based nowadays.

South Fakarava (Tetamanu Village) is very rustic, only 2 dives a day, so-so meals, but incredible scenery above and below, with a school of 80-100 grey reef sharks. Northern Fakarava, a little nicer accommodations, better food, also 2 dives a day, also with a lot of sharks but more spread out, and huge schools of fish.

Rangiroa, along the lines of North Fakarava, but better chance of seeing silvertips, dolphins and mantas.

Lastly, there is always the liveaboard shark dives in the Bahamas where you're likely to see tigers, lemons, bulls, nurses, and maybe great hammers.

 

[mjh]

Palau is good but have you considered the Galapagos? Maybe to late to get anything booked but might be worth a try.

 

[TSandM]

Oh, I'd second the recommendation for Rangiroa! We saw fantastic things there -- swam with a pod of dolphins, saw lots of sharks, huge schools of big fish, my only manta -- and when you get tired of staring out into blue water, the reef is colorful, healthy, and packed with life. I'd love to go back.

Another thought is Australia's East Coast. We also had a wonderful time diving Byron Bay, and I understand the Solitaries (a little further south) are great for sharks.

 

[gwyntb]

Hello...try to consider diving in one of the top dive sites in Asia. Apo Island, Dauin , Siquijor Island, Maoalboal, Malapascua, Bohol, Cabilao. The most known dive center in this areas is the Sea Explorers, Philippines. Just search them in the net...

 

[sharkbait98]

Thanks everybody for your responses. This is going to be hard ).. My only problem with Palau is that I have heard that when you get up in the AM for your dives there are alot of boats around due to the fact that alot of boats are now coming from shore to do the dives that the liveaboards can only reach.. Is this true or just hearsay??????????

Sharkbait

 

[Manuel Sam]

Most divesites are within an hour ride from Koror. That has always been the case. The only ones of the "standard" liveaboard divesites that are not done from Koror are those in Peleliu. It's been 10 years since I dove Palau so who knows nowadays.

I think that what the liveaboard gives you over land-based is not having to take that 45-minute to 1-hour ride back and forth everyday. In addtion, you can count on doing 5 dives a day off of a liveaboard vs. 2-3 land-based.

 

[PADI PAUL]

Hi sharkbait

Vietnam will be disappointing if you're looking for the big stuff. For macro, like nudis, you'll love it. Having said that, it won't compare with places like Palau or Sipidan.

When I wanted to go to Vietnam I emaild the main man over there and his reply seemed open & honest. Try him/ jeremy@divevietnam.com

Enjoy....

Paul

 

[gwyntb]

Hello..try to consider diving at Siquijor Island, Philippines and other nearby islands. Just visit Siquijor Island Web Directory, Philippines ; Beach Resorts,Properties or Property for Sale, Real Estate,Dive Centers, Restaurants, Ferry and Shipping Schedules,Tourist Map, Weather, Sunset, White Beaches, Cliffs, Rocks , Overlooking, Churches , Conve for more details.